And who can blame them? The LS1 Firebirds were among the fastest ever produced. With an all-aluminum 5.7L V8, derived from the Corvette, producing 305 hp (310 after 2000) or 320 hp (325 after 2000) in the WS-6 "Ram Air" version, these Fourth Generation Firebirds are simply a blast to drive (although noisy). Many even believe these engines were purposely underrated by GM and actually produce up to an additional 40 horsepower.
Average quarter-mile times were reported at 13.4 seconds. With the WS-6 performance package, it's pretty much on a level playing field with a Porsche 911, which were priced at about $75,000. And while the Ford Mustang was kicking their behinds in the showroom, on the track a Mustang was left wondering what hit them.
Here's some background information for those who are considering buying one:
The most recent generation of Firebirds (and the ones we see the most at auctions) were produced for the 1993 - 2002 model years. At first, model choices were coupe only in base, Formula and Trans Am trims. Powering the base was a 3.4-liter V6 that produced 160 horsepower, while under the hood of the Trans Am was an LT1 5.7-liter V8 good for 275 horsepower. The choice of transmissions included a 4-speed automatic, a 5-speed manual (V6) and a 6-speed manual (V8).
In 1994, the Firebird convertible was reintroduced and the base Firebird's engine was upgraded in 1995 to a 200-horsepower 3.8-liter V6. For the 1996 model, the Trans Am's V8 was boosted to 285 horses, while Ram Air induction also returned for the V8, increasing output to 305 horsepower.
There was a model refresh for 1998 which added a new front fascia and a more powerful LS-1 5.7-liter V8 engine that upped output to 305 horsepower or 320 hp with Ram Air. Things mostly carried through largely unchanged through the 2002 model aside from some minor trim revisions and a further boost in power to 310 horses for the V8 in 2001.
Used Pontiac Trans Am shoppers should be mindful that while this car is fast, good looking and priced right, its downside is a fairly basic and unrefined interior. The seats are fairly plain and not completely supportive in all situations, overall roominess is on the tight side for a car this size and there's also a lot of lower-grade plastic trim and inferior feature components. That said, the gauges are large and well-placed and the cargo capacity is surprisingly useful.
Overall, the Firebird Trans Am scores highly for power-performance for the dollar, handling, body styling and cargo room, while its mechanical reliability has also generally been quite good. Negatives include a lower quality cabin, a somewhat small interior and T-tops that can be prone to leaking.
Still, the Trans Am is an iconic American muscle car that simply offers a lot of performance-bang for the buck. And for those who may be interested, while there aren't tons of these waiting to be scooped up, we can make a number of suggestions to help you get a Trans Am at a great price ... if you have some patience.
How To Get The Best Price On A
Pre-Owned Trans Am:
